NJ?

Hi everyone..hope all are well. So, I went to my first EP doctor on Thursday and came home more upset than when I first went. He was SO caught up on how young I was, I felt he was more preoccupied with that. Quite frankly, if I hadn't come onto this site and see how many young people do have pm's (I'm 23), I probably would have let him scare the life out me and NEVER agree to get one. I've been told by 3 cardiologists that I will probably end up needing a pm because of my taching and then sudden drops into junctional heart rates. We've been trying all sorts of medications ( Midodrine, Bisoprolol, Atenolol, Paxil) and this new doc just took me off everything and put me on Florinef. He seemed to miss the fact that my syncope is heart rate driven not blood pressure driven, but I was so disgusted during the visit I was itching to leave. I decided to take a shot and take this medication and its just making me swell up and I still passed out today. I'm just so upset. All I want is someone to fix the problem so I can get back to normal. I can't wor at the moment because I pass out almost daily, can't drive, and I'm exhausted most of the day from these episodes of taching up and then dropping down so low.
I'm sorry to vent, but I'm just so upset!!
Has anyone been in NJ and seen any good docs they recommend?
Perhaps someone who won't tell me they haven't seen someone "my age" in such a long time...he'd never imagine pacing a 20something year old...he'd exhaust the medication book first, who knows what a pacer could do to such a young heart... I didn't have words for him!
Any ideas would be great! Thanks everyone!!

3 Comments

Wish I could help

by janetinak - 2008-08-30 03:08:05

Feel so sad reading about your experience. I am sure our great club members will help with references. I am in Anchorage & love my EP at Alaska Heart but doubt if you want to come here for a consult. Lots of good EP's between here & N.J.You are close enough to Boston & when I lived there it was quite a medical center. Maybe you can get a reference there. You are corret there are so many young folks on this site & I am sure they will help you too. I am an old bat now & my Afib kicked in at 59 to full-time but by my history my EP figured out I have been having Afib since I was 30. So it does start young.

My thoughts are with you. Keep looking for that great EP who is out there & will help you. You need soem more references from your cardio's.

Janet

Hi angel

by joy1 - 2008-08-30 03:08:20

hi angeldk,

Sounds like your having a really rough time. I'm sorry. Yes, you are young but as you have seen here, there are alot of really young memberson this site. Some are not even in their teens. It looks like Gellia might be a really good contact for you. follow through with contacting her. It will probably help both of you.

The only reason I am chiming in at all is that I noted something you said about wanting to get back to normal and that is to be expected and a perfectly normal reaction but you need to somehow acknowledge and find acceptance for the fact you have a heart condition which you are going to have to deal with in some way or another for the rest of your life. Life will only be as normal as you can make it given your circumstances. Acceptance is one of the greatest problems most of us face; acceptance and fear.

You have every right to be upset...totally, because it isn't fair! I hope you are able to find the help you need to sort out your arrhythmia problem. Persevere, and you will be able to make your life what you want it to be buildt around having a heart condition. Accept your limitations and push the boundaries. I think nearly everyone on this site has been where you are at some point regardless of their age, so your not alone. Please continue to come back and share your journey with us! You never know when your experience may be the one someone else reads, relate to and be encouraged and helped.

Again, I am deeply sorry for the struggle you are going through but you sound like a determined, motivated young woman and I have faith that you will persevere!

joy

Hi,

by Gellia2 - 2008-08-30 08:08:36

I'm in NJ. I have the best cardiologist and EP in the state as far as I'm concerned. I, too, got my PM when I was in my early 20's for 3rd degree block.
Please email me directly and I will give you their names. They are both located in Northern Jersey (Short Hills and Newark) and I travel two hours to see them both. Have been doing it for over 25 years now (I've had a pacemaker for 33 years).
Best to you.
Gellia

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